Vleeskroon before 1696

This is a vleeskroon, or meat crown, made by Wessel Jansen, most likely in the Netherlands sometime before his death in 1696. It’s made of silver. This object speaks to a time when food preservation was a real concern. It would have been hung above meat to keep flies away. The open structure allows for air circulation, while the delicate silver material signals wealth and status. Crafting something so utilitarian from a precious metal elevates its purpose. Silversmithing traditions involve skills like hammering, soldering, and engraving, all requiring precision and expertise. Jansen would have needed to understand the properties of the material to form it into such an airy cage. The vleeskroon demonstrates how everyday life could be intertwined with artistic expression, blurring the lines between the functional and the decorative. It’s a reminder that even the most practical objects can be infused with cultural meaning and skilled artistry.